DENVER (AP) — Drought conditions have affected waterfowl habitat on the Eastern Plains so much that hunters may have to work harder to find ducks and geese this fall and winter.

Jim Gammonley is an avian research program leader for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. He says the lack of moisture in Colorado this year may force many birds from the north to migrate elsewhere in search of better conditions.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials say spots in the state with enough water and food production will have ducks and geese, and conditions could change weekly based on precipitation.

Area wildlife manager Travis Black from Lamar says many lakes in southeast Colorado are extremely low or dry, but Two Buttes Reservoir has water in it for the first time in years.

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